Bracelet strand with optical effect

Abstract

The invention relates to a bracelet strand made of a transparent or translucent elastomer material, comprising a first end capable of connecting to a watch case, characterised in that it comprises a rigid insert having a solid part forming a reinforcement, and a hollow part arranged to receive a fluid and solid elements dispersed in the fluid, said hollow part being located at the centre of the solid part, and in that the insert is coated in the transparent elastomer, and is positioned at the first end capable of connecting to a watch case.

1 . A bracelet strand made of a transparent or translucent elastomer material, comprising a first end capable of connecting to a watch case, wherein it comprises a rigid insert having a solid part forming a reinforcement, and a hollow part arranged to receive a fluid and solid elements dispersed in the fluid, said hollow part being located at the centre of the solid part, and in that the insert is coated in the transparent elastomer, and is positioned at the first end capable of connecting to a watch case. 
     
     
         2 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a higher density than the fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is selected from: an aqueous solution or a mineral or vegetable oil. 
     
     
         4 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid elements are selected from: metal particles, phosphorescent particles, beads, flakes or scales, etc. 
     
     
         5 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert is made of a transparent polymer that is amorphous or that has a very low crystallinity. 
     
     
         6 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert has a mechanical strength with a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa. 
     
     
         7 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a metal blade arranged such that it is in contact with the watch case. 
     
     
         8 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow part takes the form of a logo, a letter, a number or a pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises two shells, each shell comprising a cavity forming the hollow part. 
     
     
         10 . The bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a channel opening out into the hollow part so as to fill the latter. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing a bracelet strand according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises the following steps of:
 a) taking a transparent insert comprising a hollow part;   b) taking a fluid and adding solid elements thereto to form a solution with suspended particles;   c) injecting the solution obtained into the insert via a channel opening out into the hollow part;   d) closing the channel in a leak-tight manner;   e) overmoulding a transparent or translucent elastomer material over the insert to form a bracelet strand, then vulcanising or “curing” the overmoulded material to obtain a flexible strand made of an elastomer material and comprising an insert with a hollow part such that the solution with the suspended particles is visible from outside the bracelet strand.